Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee act (MGNREGA) perceived as one of the poverty alleviation programmes aimed at providing guaranteed employment to rural peoples. The scheme is believed to have potential to change the socio-economic status of village people by ensuring livelihood security. The study conducted on a random sample of 70 respondents selected from five villages of Nirmand block of Kullu district (H.P) revealed that a majority of them were aware about the job card (100%), receipt of application of employment (74%), about the number of employment days (100%), necessity of opening of bank account (60%), employment within stipulated period of 15 days (100%), regular marking of attendance (100%), installation of Notice board at work-site (94%), equity in wages of male and female workers (100%), regular checking of work done (66%) and social audit by the Gram Sabha (89%). However, they were found ignorant about unemployment allowance in case work not given within stipulated period of 15 days (100%) and the ratio of wage and material (80%). Lack of facilities like crèche, drinking water, shed etc. at the work-site followed by ignorance about unemployment allowance, not-maintaining wage and material ratio, happening of accidents at work-site due to lack of facilities and delaying of funds allocation causing shortage of work, consequently leading to turnover of workers etc were the main problems/difficulties. Hence, the study implies that basic facilities as per the provisions under MGNREGA should be provided at the work-site besides ensuring timely allocation and release of funds to the Gram Panchayats.
